Margaret I Fitch1, Irene Nicoll2, Gina Lockwood3, Lorelei Newton4, Fay J Strohschein5. 1. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, 207 Chisholm Ave, Toronto, Ontario M4C 4V9, Canada. Electronic address: Marg.i.fitch@gmail.com. 2. Health Care Consultant, Toronto, Canada. 3. Biostatistician Consultant, Toronto, Canada. 4. School of Nursing, University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada. Electronic address: lorelei@uvic.ca. 5. Oncology and Aging Program, Jewish General Hospital, Wainwright, Montreal, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: fay.strohschein@mail.mcgill.ca.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This work describes perspectives of older adult cancer survivors about improvements that should be considered during the early period of survivorship. Findings will be useful in program development of age-appropriate services following completion of cancer treatment for older adults. METHODS: A national survey was conducted across ten Canadian provinces to understand follow-up experiences of cancer survivors one to three years post-treatment. The survey included open-ended questions enabling respondents to offer insight into their experiences. This publication presents analysis of responses from older adults (75+ years) about suggestions for improving survivorship care. RESULTS: In total, 3274 older adults (75+ years) responded to the survey and 1424 responded to the question about improvements. Fifty-five percent of the older adults were male, 28% had experienced metastatic disease and 75% reported comorbid conditions. A total of 640 respondents offered 932 suggestions in the areas of service delivery (n = 763, 81.9%), support (n = 108, 11.6%), and practical assistance (n = 61, 6.5%). Improvements in information/communication (n = 291) and follow-up care (n = 180) accounted for the highest number of suggestions regarding service delivery. Thematic analysis revealed three key messages about improvement: 'offer me needed support', 'make access easy for me', and 'show me you care'. CONCLUSION: Suggestions for improvement in survivorship care by older adults treated for cancer emphasize need for changes in the approaches taken by health care providers in interactions and organization of care delivery. Proactive provision of information, detailed schedules for follow-up care, and ease of access to post-treatment care are needed.
PURPOSE: This work describes perspectives of older adult cancer survivors about improvements that should be considered during the early period of survivorship. Findings will be useful in program development of age-appropriate services following completion of cancer treatment for older adults. METHODS: A national survey was conducted across ten Canadian provinces to understand follow-up experiences of cancer survivors one to three years post-treatment. The survey included open-ended questions enabling respondents to offer insight into their experiences. This publication presents analysis of responses from older adults (75+ years) about suggestions for improving survivorship care. RESULTS: In total, 3274 older adults (75+ years) responded to the survey and 1424 responded to the question about improvements. Fifty-five percent of the older adults were male, 28% had experienced metastatic disease and 75% reported comorbid conditions. A total of 640 respondents offered 932 suggestions in the areas of service delivery (n = 763, 81.9%), support (n = 108, 11.6%), and practical assistance (n = 61, 6.5%). Improvements in information/communication (n = 291) and follow-up care (n = 180) accounted for the highest number of suggestions regarding service delivery. Thematic analysis revealed three key messages about improvement: 'offer me needed support', 'make access easy for me', and 'show me you care'. CONCLUSION: Suggestions for improvement in survivorship care by older adults treated for cancer emphasize need for changes in the approaches taken by health care providers in interactions and organization of care delivery. Proactive provision of information, detailed schedules for follow-up care, and ease of access to post-treatment care are needed.